Jordan Spieth

The odds of a Grand Slam already were long simply because no one had ever swept the four professional majors in one year. If that’s the best measure, this sobering piece of history might make Spieth feel even worse.

Jordan Spieth wasted no time seizing a rare opportunity to chase a Grand Slam, opening with six birdies in 11 holes at St. Andrews and keeping his name high on the leaderboard Thursday in the British Open.